Condensed Matter Physics.

Assignment 5

Assignment 5: Reciprocal Lattices

Interplanar separation

1. Consider a plane hkl in a crystal lattice.

a. Prove that the reciprocal lattice vector

−
→ −
→ −
→ →
−
G = h b1 + k b2 + l b3 ,

is perpendicular to this plane.

b. Prove that the distance between two adjacent parallel planes of the lattice is d(hkl) = 2π
|G|
·

c. Show for a simple cubic lattice that ,

a2
d2 = ·
h2 + k 2 + l2

Reciprocal of Reciprocal Lattice

2. (a) Prove that the reciprocal lattice primitive vectors defined as,

−
→ →
−
a2 × − →
a3
b1 = 2π −
→
a1 · ( a2 × −
−
→ → ,
a3 )
−
→ →
−
a3 × − →
a1
b2 = 2π −
→ ,
a1 · ( a2 × −
−
→ →
a3 )
−
→ −
→
a1 × −→
a2
b3 = 2π −
→
a1 · ( a2 × −
−
→ → , (1)
a3 )
satisfy,

− −
→ → − → (2π)3
b1 · ( b2 × b3 ) = −
→ ·
a1 · (→
−
a2 × −
→
a3 )

−
→
(b) Suppose primitive vectors are constructed from the b i in the same manner Eq(1) as
−
→
the b i are constructed from the −
→
a i . Prove that these vectors are just the −
→
a i themselves;

Due date: April. 8, 2011, 3pm. 1

Condensed Matter Physics. Assignment 5

show that,

−
→ − →
b2 × b3 −
→
2π −
→ − → − → = a 1, etc.
b1 · ( b2 × b3 )

(c) Prove that the volume of Bravais lattice primitive cell is,

v =| −
→
a 1 · (−
→
a2 × −
→
a3 ) |,

where the −
→
a i are three primitive vectors.

Reciprocal of Simple Hexagonal and Trigonal Bravais Lattice

3. (a) Using the primitive vectors given as,

√
−
→
a 1 = ax̂, −
→ a
a 2 = x̂ +
3a
ŷ, −
→
a 3 = cẑ.
2 2

and the construction Eq(1) (or by any other method) show that the reciprocal of the simple
√
hexagonal Bravais lattice is also simple hexagonal, with lattice constants 2π/c and 4π/ 3a,
rotated through 300 about the c-axis with respect to the direct lattice.
(b) For what value of c/a does the ratio have the same value in both direct and reciprocal
lattices? If c/a is ideal in the direct lattice, what is its value in the reciprocal lattice?
(c) The Bravais lattice generated by three primitive vectors of equal length a, mak-
ing equal angles θ with one another, is known as the trigonal Bravais lattice. Show
that the reciprocal of a trigonal Bravais lattice is also trigonal, with an angle θ∗
given by − cos θ∗ = cos θ/[1 + cos θ], and a primitive vector length a∗ , given by
a∗ = (2π/a)(1 + 2 cos θ cos θ∗ )−1/2 .

Due date: April. 8, 2011, 3pm. 2

Condensed Matter Physics. Assignment 5

Density of Lattice Points in a Lattice Plane

4. (a) Show that the density of lattice points (per unit area) in a lattice plane is
d/v, where v is the primitive cell volume and d the spacing between neighboring planes in
the family to which the given plane belongs.
(b) Prove that the lattice planes with the greatest densities of points are the {111} planes
in a FCC Bravais lattice and the {110} planes in a BCC Bravais lattice.

Miller Indices

5. Consider the planes with indices {100} and {001}; the lattice is FCC, and the indices
refer to the conventional cubic cell. What are the indices of these planes when refered to the
primitive axes of figure (see figure of the rhombohedral primitive cell of the face-centered
cubic crystal. The primitive translation vectors −
→a , −
→
a , −
1
→
a connect the lattice point at
2 3

the origin with lattice points at the face centers. As drawn, the primitive vectors are:)

−
→ 1
a 1 = a(x̂ + ŷ); −
→ 1
a 2 = a(ŷ + ẑ); −
→ 1
a 3 = a(ẑ + x̂).
2 2 2

6. Sketch the following planes and directions in a cubic unit cell: (122), [122], (11̄2), [11̄2].

Symmetry Operations

7. Think of some (everyday) objects which have the following symmetry:

(i) mirror plane;
(ii) 2-fold rotation axis;
(iii) higher rotational symmetry.

Due date: April. 8, 2011, 3pm. 3